Chelsea fall to shock Brighton defeat

Posted Sunday, August 05, 2012 by ESPN

Chelsea's indifferent pre-season continued with a 3-1 defeat to Brighton.

Frank Lampard gave the visitors the lead in the first half after he finished a Ramires cross before the hosts struck back after 36 minutes through Vicente.

An error from Raul Meireles let in Will Buckley and although Petr Cech saved his effort, Giles Barnes was on hand to put the south-coast side a goal up, before Andrew Crofts sealed the victory late in the second half as the Blues slipped to their third defeat of pre-season.

West Brom needed a late equaliser from Peter Odemwingie to avoid defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.

The hosts took the lead through Nejc Pecnik after 34 minutes with a cross-cum-shot which looped over Ben Foster before the Nigerian international scored in the 88th minute.

Championship side Nottingham Forest recorded a 3-1 win over top tier club Aston Villa at the City Ground.

After a goalless first half, Lewis McGugan netted from the edge of the area after 71 minutes to put the home side in front before captain for the day Barry Bannan equalised for Villa with a free-kick two minutes later.

Marcus Tudgay was on target after 77 minutes to put Forest back in front before McGugan rounded off the scoring with five minutes left.

Premier League newcomers Reading drew 2-2 at Bournemouth.
Adrian Mariappa headed home a Nicky Shorey free-kick before the Cherries equalised through Wes Thomas, who converted a Matt Tubbs cross.

Hal Robson-Kanu put the visitors in front from the penalty spot but Miles Addison rescued a draw for the home side.

West Ham, who before Saturday's match at Ipswich had already lost three pre-season friendlies, fell behind after 15 minutes when Michael Chopra netted from the spot.

Summer signing from Nottingham Forest Luke Chambers put the hosts two goals up four minutes later with a header.

Matt Taylor pulled one back for the visitors after 73 minutes with a long range effort, but Jason Scotland sealed a 3-1 win for the Suffolk side seven minutes from time.

And the other Premier League new boys, Southampton, beat last season's top flight basement boys Wolves 2-0 at St Mary's.

Saints took a first half lead when Billy Sharp converted an Adam Lallana cross for his fourth goal of pre-season, before Jason Puncheon doubled the lead midway through the second half when he drove into the net from the edge of the area.